The theme of the year in JKHA early childhood and lower school is “JKHA Builds Independence.” Last year’s theme of the year was “Build” and to “build” on that theme, this year the divisions are focusing on the theme of building independence. In the classrooms, students and teachers, along with the guidance department, are working on developing the executive functioning and organizational skills of each student. In addition, they are working to grow students into citizens who demonstrate positive midot through modeling positive reinforcement and repetition.

Each month, as an early childhood and lower school community they will focus on a different midah to help students build on their social and emotional techniques to help them thrive. This month’s midah is saying hello to everyone and was introduced at an “I Can Be” assembly. The focus is on making eye contact and smiling, saying hello and giving a wave to make someone else feel comfortable and instill a sense of community. Different classes will incorporate the theme as well. To kick off the theme in fourth grade, they read a book called “A Bad Case of Stripes.” The students learned through the book that it is OK to be independent, both in their thoughts as well as their actions, and to like different things than their friends do, among other related concepts to lay the groundwork for the theme.